German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reorganized senior positions on Friday as he attempts to improve his deeply unpopular government's standing ahead of regional elections, where a far-right party could secure its first state governor role.
Merz assumed office less than 15 months ago with commitments to reform and revitalize Germany’s economy, Europe's largest, following years of stagnation. However, this economic recovery has been slow to materialize. Furthermore, the center-right Union bloc and the center-left Social Democrats—two traditional rivals in Merz’s middle-of-the-road coalition—have not yet convinced voters that they can deliver results.
This situation has led to a decline in Merz's popularity while the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, has gained traction fueled by widespread discontent.
Merz Seizes Opportunity
Merz used this moment to implement several changes after a senior ally resigned from leading his party’s parliamentary group due to personal conduct that damaged his credibility. Merz intends to appoint his chief of staff, Thorsten Frei, to that role.
The German leader announced that Health Minister Nina Warken will take Frei's position at the chancellery, a post vital for the government's smooth operation; she will be the first woman appointed to this role. Additionally, Carsten Linnemann, the general secretary of Merz’s Christian Democratic Union party, will become health minister.
Merz indicated that further Cabinet changes are forthcoming but provided no specifics, stating those decisions would take "a few days yet, and perhaps more time."
"The personnel changes follow a clear line," he stated. "We want a government that works with great vigor and pleasure and also represents the personal diversity of our society and politics. We are a reform government and want to continue showing that."
Difficult Regional Elections Loom
The governing parties face three challenging regional elections in September. In Saxony-Anhalt, an eastern region, AfD is hopeful of achieving a majority that would grant it control of a state government for the first time on September 6.
Following months where voters were discouraged by coalition squabbling, Merz’s government recently initiated major plans for potentially difficult changes. These include a proposed overhaul of the aging pension system involving a gradual increase in the retirement age, income tax reductions for low- and middle-income earners, and efforts to reduce bureaucracy.
"The government has found its rhythm, despite some criticism," Merz declared last week. "We have delivered, and we have recognized the dimension of the tasks we face."
Ally Resigns Over Surrogacy Issue
Only days later, he encountered a new distraction when Jens Spahn resigned as leader of the Union’s parliamentary group—a highly influential position within the coalition—after it was revealed that he and his husband used a surrogate mother in the U.S. to have a child.
Surrogacy is prohibited in Germany. Merz's party opposes legalization, a stance reaffirmed at a February convention, and Spahn had previously spoken out against it, leading to accusations of double standards.
Frei will now assume Spahn’s role, a position widely considered better suited for him than coordinating the chancellery. Frei served as the Union’s parliamentary chief whip under Merz when the center-right was in opposition.
Warken takes his place at the chancellery after successfully guiding the first of the government's reforms—aimed at controlling rising costs in the German health insurance system—through parliament earlier this month.
Merz praised her, stating she has demonstrated that "she can push through reforms against resistance," calling her a tough negotiator and noting that "she is also at home with the security policy issues" important at the chancellery.
Linnemann, who lacks government experience despite being conservative, will take over the Health Ministry. Merz asserted that "we must maintain the course of reform" in health policy, which necessitates a "steadfast" minister.
Uwe Jun, a political science professor at the University of Trier, told Deutschlandfunk radio, "Friedrich Merz wants to show that this coalition is capable of acting, that he as chancellor is capable of acting. He wants to put it on a faster and stronger path now."
Merz did not address questions and omitted mention of several German media reports suggesting he also plans to replace Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder.
Last year, Merz’s coalition established a substantial fund to support an effort to upgrade deteriorating transport infrastructure, but frustration persists, citing issues such as the unreliability of the national railway.